Jul 29th

Working Together

I am in Hattiesburg, MS tonight with destination Destin, FL in sight for tomorrow.  I am hoping to reconnect with my family for a few days before we all begin running in different directions again.  I am also looking forward to staying connected and working on my end of the connection with God.  So far in the journey to the destination, we are experiencing some great togetherness with 6 of us in a van for several hours and 6 of us in a one room suite.  We are ready for some beach time to spread us out physically at least.

We got a late start on the vacation because of a meeting that I had at the state convention today.  I must confess that I grow weary of meetings whether it be at church where most of them occur or the convention.  But on the other hand, it was a good thing to hear from all our agency heads about their ministries and discuss trustee nominees for our convention to consider.  I have placed our agency heads on my prayer list several months ago and happen to know them all with varying degrees contact.  I can say that they are all good men who desire to serve Christ and make an impact for the kingdom.

The meetings I can usually do without but the relationships are vital.  It is beneficial for me to see and hear how God is working in other places outside my sphere of influence and even knowledge.  It is also amazing to think that I can even participate in their ministries through our cooperative effort together.  That’s the beauty of the Cooperative Program.  I find myself at times resisting the whether real or imagined pressure from what I will call the old guard to blindly give to the CP.  I feel compelled to discover ways to connect with younger pastors and probably in our state more youth pastors.  Instead of just expecting the younger generation to buy into a CP that helped educate so many, we should rather give them all the reasons that it is the best plan with the best missions organizations on the planet.

As we have move among this Bridger Generation that is mostly lost and will (without a sudden reversal) become the most lost generation in our nation’s history; we must communicate the tremendous work that is done through the World Hunger Fund, Disaster Relief Efforts, radical missions efforts among unreached muslims, hindus, and traditonal ancestor worshipers.  As I had the opportunity speak to several hundred of our folks in east asia at a special gathering; I could not help but notice that a significant number were under 35 years of age.  They were Bridgers.  We need to capture this in a way to let folks know what we are doing.

Most of the time, I would rather just take care of it myself whatever it is.  Unfortunately, that carries over into ministry sometimes especially when including others and depending on others involves more meetings.  But without question, I cannot and FBC Rogers cannot do all that the CP allows us to have a part in doing.  We who are on the inside of this thing might critique, question, suggest, evaluate, and even gripe or complain some; but make no mistake about it, CP cooperation has served us well in ways that no other denomination or church alone has even come close.  

Until next time. . .Wes

Jul 28th

Compassion and Passion

Mondays are usually a challenge for the pastor/preacher.   Last night as I was thinking about my sermon topic Reaching Generation Next Now through Compassion, I thought, man, I am tired after preaching 3 times this morning and now I am challenging people to have passion, compassion, and feelings for reaching this generation with the Gospel.

My personal confession is probably a small photo of a larger picture.  Our church family life finds itself strained and stressed with busy schedules.  Our energy, time, and emotions are spent in a variety of places.  Our kids are playing baseball, football, basketball, etc. year around now.  We carry our blackberries and iphones so we can do more and stay more in touch.  But the reality is that we are probably more out of touch with our kids, our brothers and sisters in Christ, and yes even the lost and most importantly God than ever before.

We don’t have the time to be refreshed and renewed to have compassion on those whom Jesus has compassion upon.  Matthew 9:36 speaks of 2 things that Jesus did prior to issuing His command to “Pray to the Lord of the Harvest to send forth laborers.”

The text advocates “seeing the people.”  We see the masses, but we miss the people because we are too busy.  Jesus also had “compassion” for them.  In other words, He was “feeling for the people.”  God has created us as emotional creatures.  I know and I have often preached that we cannot go by our feelings, feelings can mislead you, fact and faith are more important than feelings.  All of this is true.  But also, no feelings for people or for what God says is not good.  Somehow, someway God wants us to be seeing the people and feeling something; even on Monday after 4 sermons on Sunday and even in the midst of a busy schedule.  Until next time. . .Wes

Jul 25th

Behind VBS

We have another VBS behind us.  We rejoice in the children that trusted in Christ as Savior and Lord.  We give Him all the glory and praise.  FBC Rogers has a talented group of young people-adults and teenagers.  They engaged the children in worship in an incredible way each day.

One great story was a 6 year old relating to his mother the purpose of our missions offering this week (which was Muslim Bible Day).  He told his mother that the offering was so that “munchkins” could have Bibles.  Well, “munchkins” probably need Bibles as much as anyone including Muslims.

We will continue our journey Sunday in Reaching Generation Next Now.  Despite the trends of this day, compromising the message of the Gospel and the Bible is not a viable option.  One of the reasons that this generation under 30 years of age struggles in embracing absolute truth is that so few have seen absolute truth espoused and practiced by their baby boomer parents, teachers, and coaches.  An incarnational ministry of truth will be necessary for reaching generation now, today.  Teenagers see through ritual and routine in their quest for authenticity.

Jesus was real and authentic.  That’s why sinners were attracted to Him.  Many of our younger generation are not rejecting the Gospel as much as they are rejecting our lack of passion, commitment, integrity, and authenticity.  I am looking ahead to a great Sunday.  May God transform us and conform us to the image of His Son.  Until next time. . .Wes

Jul 24th

Mid-Week VBS

We are at the mid-point of VBS this week.  Our leaders are doing a fabulous job with all the kids.  I had a great opportunity to share the Gospel with the older children today during our opening assembly.  Several children indicated that they wanted to receive Christ as Lord and Savior. Then I had the opportunity to talk personally with a boy that played on the baseball team that I coached this summer.  I think about my own salvation that came at an early age and how God has worked in my life all these years.

This week has been very encouraging as I have heard from so many people who are being very focused and intentional about reaching out to children and teenagers.  God has refocused my attention on this important age group.  As you know roughly 4 out of 5 people who come to Christ do so before they reach the age of 20.  God has also convicted me about my personal evangelism.  I have written down the names of 4 men that I am praying for regularly that God would open their eyes to His love for them and His plan for their life.  I am also asking for divine opportunities to encourage them towards Christ and commend His great salvation for them.

Until next time.   Wes

Jul 19th

Diversity in the Journey

Life is made up of many different experiences.  I am reminded of James’ word in James 1:2 where he writes “Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials,. . .”  That idea of various trials as many of you know means multi-colored or all different kinds.  Not only are trials multi-colored but all of life really is.

My experience the past couple of days is a great example of this.  On Friday, I preached the funeral message of a 17 year old young man who had been attending our church.  You can imagine the genuine heart break of his family and his many teenage friends.  This is never easy.  While death is a reality of life, it always seems that when someone young dies, it appears more painful, sudden, or uninvited than usual.  Many heard the gospel of hope, and I am so convinced that is the only hope that anyone has especially the many that gathered to honor and remember their friend, son, brother today.  I pray that His Word will not return void.  I have confidence that He always accomplishes His purposes.

Later in the day, I had the privilege of participating in a wedding rehearsal of a wedding ceremony that I will be performing on Saturday.  This is a great couple who so desire to honor Christ in their marriage.  The occasion was joyful and celebratory at the rehearsal and dinner.  Many of the wedding party and family are faithful believers.  It was a party atmosphere (the good kind of party).  

What a contrast from the morning to the evening!  Both occasions were grounded upon hope in Christ.  It is a clear reminder that on everyday that someone somewhere is burying a child and no doubt that someone somewhere is rejoicing over a godly marriage, a healthy birth, or even spiritual birth.  I am so glad that Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever and that He is the Lord Who does not change.

Life circumstances change, but He does not. Our emotions change, but our hope does not.  I look forward to a Saturday of reunion with my oldest son who returns after a week on a mission trip.  My wife spent a couple of days visiting some of our precious people who have children in the Children’s Hospital in LR (along with 3 other ladies that made that trip).  It was great getting her home Friday for multiple reasons.  I look forward to a great wedding ceremony tomorrow also.  Then Sunday is around the corner and this is my favorite day each week.  Until next time. . .Wes